Several quarterbacks have had to overcome the stigma and disadvantage of
being short in a big man's game. The smallest player ever to be listed as a
quarterback and probably the smallest NFL player ever was Jack Shapiro of the
Staten Island Stapletons who was listed at 5'1" and 119 pounds, but he
only played one game in 1929 and was a blocking back, not really a passer anyway.
The early days of the NFL abounded with slightly built passers, but Davey O'Brien,
a single wing tailback who played both ways for Philadelphia in 1939 and 1940,
set the standard at 5'7" and 150 pounds. The other two high achievers of
low in stature quarterbacks were 5'7" Eddie LeBaron in the 1950s and 1960s
and 5'9" Doug Flutie of more recent itmes. The only current quarterback
below 6' is 5'11" Seneca Wallace, and only Michael Vick, Drew Brees and
Tim Rattay ar 6' even. The following list of quarterbacks under 5'11" includes
single wing tailbacks and quarterbacks who may not have been known for their
passing skills.